Former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and senator Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa stated that he may seek asylum in the Senate building if the International Criminal Court (ICC) issues an order for his arrest for his involvement in the administration of Duterte. In an interview with NewsWatch Plus, Dela Rosa mentioned that Senate President Francis 'Chiz' Escudero promised him protection within the territory of the Senate as long as it is legally permitted. "When the case reaches the legality, 'to this extent he can proceed,'" Dela Rosa said, adding that he can remain in the Senate building where police cannot execute the order for his arrest on behalf of the ICC. Nevertheless, he declined to confirm whether he actually intends to pursue such a plan.
The senator, who is set to run for re-election, noted that the 19th Congress will conclude its work on July 27, stating he intends to exhaust all legal remedies for himself and former president Rodrigo Duterte before considering a surrender to the ICC. Dela Rosa and Duterte have resorted to the Supreme Court seeking to block the order allowing collaboration with the ICC, including the release of any detained person based on a request from the tribunal in the context of the investigation into drug campaigns.
The ICC investigation centers on thousands of reported cases of extrajudicial killings within the anti-drug campaign of Duterte and proposed deadly operations during his tenure as mayor of Davao City. Dela Rosa, who was the first chief of the PNP under Duterte, referred to himself as the 'second accused' within the framework of the investigation.
